Sinharaja Rainforest

A visit to the Sinharaja Rainforest is a popular choice for most of our guests be it for hiking, trekking or birdwatching. The Sinharaja Rain Forest is a UNESCO named world heritage site and Biosphere reserve which has become a biodiversity hotspot in Sri Lanka. The reserve's name translates to "Kingdom of the Lion".

The reserve is 21 km (13 mi) from east to west, and a maximum of 7 km (4.3 mi) from north to south, but it is a treasure trove of endemic species, including trees, insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

Birds tend to move in mixed feeding flocks, invariably led by the fearless Sri Lanka Crested Drongo and the noisy orange-billed babbler. Of Sri Lanka's 26 endemic birds, the 20 rainforest species all occur here, including the elusive red-faced malkoha, green-billed coucal and Sri Lanka blue magpie.

Because of the dense vegetation, wildlife is not as easily seen as at dry-zone national parks such as Yala. There are about 3 elephants, and roughly about 15 leopards. The most common larger mammal is the endemic purple-faced langur.

Reptiles include the endemic green pit viper and hump-nosed vipers, and there are a large variety of amphibians, especially tree frogs. Invertebrates include the endemic common birdwing, butterfly and leeches.

The most popular access way to the forest reserve is from the Kudawa entrance which is a 15-minute drive from the hotel.